Distillery: Therapeutics

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Contactin-2 (CNTN2)

Published online April 30 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.692

In vitro and rat studies suggest that targeting CNTN2 could help treat MS.

Summary - Contactin-2 (CNTN2) | PDF (111 KB) - Contactin-2 (CNTN2)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Sodium channel, voltage-gated type VIII (SCN8A; Na_V1.6; PN4)

Published online April 30 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.693

A study in rat brain tissue suggests that oxadiazolylindazole modulators of Na_V1.6 could be useful for treating MS and other neurological indications.

Summary - Sodium channel, voltage-gated type VIII (SCN8A; NaV1.6; PN4) | PDF (112 KB) - Sodium channel, voltage-gated type VIII (SCN8A; NaV1.6; PN4)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Caspase recruitment domain family member 15 (CARD15; NOD2); IL-10

Published online April 16 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.608

A study in patient samples and mice suggests that inhibiting a mutant form of NOD2 may help treat Crohn's disease.

Summary - Caspase recruitment domain family member 15 (CARD15; NOD2); IL-10 | PDF (111 KB) - Caspase recruitment domain family member 15 (CARD15; NOD2); IL-10

Distillery: Therapeutics

CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6)

Published online April 16 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.609

A study in mice suggests that antagonizing CCR6 could help prevent MS.

Summary - CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) | PDF (110 KB) - CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Kallikrein 1 (KLK1); KLK3

Published online April 9 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.565

A study in human samples and in mice suggests that increasing kallikrein expression may help prevent spontaneous lupus nephritis.

Summary - Kallikrein 1 (KLK1); KLK3 | PDF (110 KB) - Kallikrein 1 (KLK1); KLK3

Distillery: Therapeutics

T cell receptor (TCR)

Published online April 9 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.566

Studies in mice suggest that a recombinant TCR ligand could treat MS.

Summary - T cell receptor (TCR) | PDF (107 KB) - T cell receptor (TCR)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1); SNP rs2239673; SNP rs763737; SNP rs3027907; SNP rs5945174; SNP rs7061789

Published online April 9 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.567

Studies in cell culture and in mice identified SNPs in IRAK1 on chromosome X that could help predict susceptibility to SLE.

Summary - Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1); SNP rs2239673; SNP rs763737; SNP rs3027907; SNP rs5945174; SNP rs7061789 | PDF (109 KB) - Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1); SNP rs2239673; SNP rs763737; SNP rs3027907; SNP rs5945174; SNP rs7061789

Targets and Mechanisms

Interfering with lupus

by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer

Published online April 2 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.519

Two high-profile lupus compounds have come up short in Phase III trials this year. French and American researchers now have an interferon-based vaccine that has shown efficacy in lupus animal models. Neovacs S.A. has patented the vaccine and hopes to begin clinical testing by year end.

Full text - Interfering with lupus | PDF (247 KB) - Interfering with lupus

Distillery: Therapeutics

Glutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA (GRIA; GLUR; AMPAR)

Published online April 2 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.521

A study in mice and in cell culture suggests that antagonizing AMPAR could help treat MS.

Summary - Glutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA (GRIA; GLUR; AMPAR) | PDF (112 KB) - Glutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA (GRIA; GLUR; AMPAR)